446 REPORT OF THE 



Mitchill described it as the Beardless Drum. Another name, derived from the 

 dark spot or spots on each side of the tail, is Branded Drum. It is also called Red- 

 fish, Red Bass, Bass, and Sea Bass. 



DeKay says it appears only occasionally on the New York coast. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., an example was caught in a trap at the breakwater, in 

 Buzzards Bay, in 1894. It was 2 feet 10 inches long and weighed about 10 pounds. 

 It was the only one of the kind known to have been taken in that region. 



173. Spot ; Lafayette {Leiostomus xaiithurus Lacepede). 



The Spot was known to Mitchill as the Little Porgee. According to DeKay its 

 appearance on the New York coast in the summer of 1824 happened to coincide 

 with the arrival of General Lafayette, and his name was bestowed upon the species. 

 Spot is derived from the presence of a dark blotch, about as big as the eye, near the 

 base of the breast fin. Other names for the fish are Goody, Oldwife, Roach, and 

 Chub. 



The Spot is found from Cape Cod to Florida and is sometimes abundant as far 

 north as Woods Hole. Several specimens were taken early in October, 1890, in Great 

 River, and a single example was caught in a pound net at Islip, October i, 1890. It 

 was not plentiful in the bay in 1901. The few examples obtained were caught at 

 Duncan's Creek and Ouantic Bay. No very small ones were seen ; those secured 

 were half grown or adults. The Spot is rather common in Gravesend Bay from 

 July to as late as December, usually most abundant in September. 



According to Dr. Smith, it is common in the fall at Woods Hole, Mass., being 

 present during the whole of October. It leaves when the .water temperature 

 reaches 45° F. 



This is a small fish, seldom exceeding 10 inches in length, but it is one of the 

 favorites among the pan fishes. It feeds upon the bottom on small invertebrates, 

 and can be taken readily with hook and line. It ascends creeks into brackish water 

 and is a common associate of the White Perch. 



174. Croaker {IlTicropogon undiilatiis Linnaeus). 



The Croaker was described by Mitchill under the name of Middle Griiiits and 

 by DeKay as the Banded Corvino. According to Mitchill it reaches the length of 

 15 inches. DeKay did not see the fish and his account of it was drawn from 

 Mitchill and Cuvier. 



The fish inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and 

 it is an important food fish. 



